Future Reflections
Volume 37 Number 2 Special Issue: Early Childhood
A magazine for parents and teachers of blind children published by
the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership
with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.
Deborah Kent Stein, Editor
ISSN-0883-3419
Copyright © 2018 American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
For more information
about blindness and children contact:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230 • 410-659-9314
https://nfb.org/nopbc • [email protected] • [email protected]
Contents
FEATURE
Possibilities
by Carol Castellano
BEGINNINGS
Early Childhood Initiative
by Patricia Maurer
Finding the First Steps
by Ashley Reinhart
The Conquest of Independence
by Carla McQuillan
EXPLORING
Learn to Play and Play to Learn: Facilitating Your Child's Learning and Play
by Heather Field
The Active Learning Approach: Using the Resonance Board and the Little Room with
Blind and Multiply Disabled Children
by Gigi Newton
Parents: Blind Children's First Mobility Teachers
by Joe Cutter
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Another Way of Seeing
by Deborah Kent Stein
Scrambled Eggs and New Perspectives
by Michelle Murrey
You Are Never Too Young for STEM
by Marilyn Winograd and Lillian Rankel
COMMUNICATION
I Don't Like That! Helping Your Child Overcome Tactile Defensiveness
by Casey Robertson
You Can Say That Again! Or, Echolalia, Echolalia, Echolalia
by Mary McDonach
My Body Belongs to Me
by Melissa Riccobono
NEWS
Nationwide Braille Readers Are Leaders
by Deborah Kent Stein
NOPBC Conference: President's Welcome
by Kim Cunningham
Complete Future Reflections Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version) Coming Soon!
Complete DAISY Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version) Coming Soon!
Orlando Site of 2018 NFB Convention
The 2018 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take place in Orlando, Florida, July 3 to July 8, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32819-9357. Make your room reservation as soon as possible with the Shingle Creek staff only. Call 866-996-6338.
The 2018 room rates are singles and doubles, $88; and for triples and quads $93. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 12.5 percent. No charge will be made for children under seventeen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested.
The hotel is accepting reservations now. A $100-per-room deposit is required to make a reservation. Fifty percent of the deposit will be refunded if notice is given to the hotel of a reservation cancellation before June 1, 2018. The other 50 percent is not refundable.
Rooms will be available on a first come, first served basis. Reservations may be made before June 1, 2018, assuming that rooms are still available. After that time the hotel will not hold our room block for the convention. In other words, you should get your reservation in soon.
All Rosen Shingle Creek rooms feature amenities that include plush Creek sleeper beds, 40" flat screen TVs, complimentary high-speed internet service, in-room safes, coffee makers, mini fridges, and hair dryers. Guests can also enjoy a swimming pool, fitness center, and on site spa. The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort has a number of dining options, including two award-winning restaurants, and twenty-four-hour-a-day room service.
The schedule for the 2018 convention is:
Tuesday, July 3 Seminar Day
Wednesday, July 4 Registration and Resolutions Day
Thursday, July 5 Board Meeting and Divisions Day
Friday, July 6 Opening Session
Saturday, July 7 Business Session
Sunday, July 8 Banquet Day and Adjournment
Why Join the NOPBC?
Are you the parent of a blind or visually impaired child? Don’t know where to turn?
Founded in 1983, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is a membership organization of parents, educators, and friends of blind children reaching out to give each other vital support, encouragement, and information. We have thousands of members in all fifty states plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.
The NOPBC offers hope, encouragement, information, and resources for parents of blind or visually impaired children. NOPBC provides emotional support and a network of other families dealing with the same challenges you are facing. We also provide information, training, and resources to empower you to take an active role in guiding your child’s development and education. We can provide information on your child’s rights and on the laws and legislative issues that will enable you and your child to become strong and effective advocates.
Have you ever wondered what your blind or visually impaired child will be capable of when he or she grows up? The answer to that question is that blindness/visual impairment does not have to stop your child from doing anything he or she wants to do. We can connect you with other families and blind adults who can serve as positive mentors and role models. They can teach you the attitudes and techniques that will enable your child to become independent and to succeed in life.
What is different about the NOPBC?
Our status as a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the largest and most influential organization of blind people in the world, provides many benefits. Our members are well informed about the societal, legislative, and technological issues that affect blind people. We also enjoy the resources, support, and expertise of fifty thousand blind people who can serve as mentors and role models for us and our children. Finally, as our children grow up, they have the Federation to belong to.
No other organization for parents of blind/visually impaired children offers more programs, activities, and training to families, children, and youth. One of our most exciting activities is our annual conference. Every year since it was established, the NOPBC has conducted an annual conference for parents and teachers of blind children as part of the national convention of the NFB. The program has grown to include five exciting days of workshops, training sessions, activities for all family members, including sighted siblings, and countless opportunities to meet blind adults and other families and children from around the country.
What is the mission of the NOPBC?
The purpose of the NOPBC is to:
- create a climate of opportunity for blind children in home and society.
- provide information and support to parents of blind children.
- facilitate the sharing of experience and concerns among parents of blind children.
- develop and expand resources available to parents and their children.
- help parents of blind children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind adults.
- function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind in its ongoing effort to achieve equality and opportunity for all blind persons.
Most states have an NOPBC affiliate chapter. You can find your state chapter at http://www.nopbc.org. If your state does not have a chapter and you would like to start one, please contact us. We may be able to offer training and other assistance to start a state NOPBC chapter.
What are the programs, activities, publications, and resources of the NOPBC?
- National and State Parent Seminars and Conferences
- Future Reflections Magazine
- NOPBC Website
- Books and Videos
- Blindkid & Other Listservs
- Early Childhood Conferences
- Pop-Up IEP Website
- Slate Pals Pen Pal Program
- AAF Free Braille Books Program
- Share Braille Book Exchange
- Writing Contests
- Junior Science Academy
- Youth Slam High School Science Academy
- National Center for Blind Youth in Science Website
- NFB-NEWSLINE® Newspaper Service
- Where the Blind Work Website
- Free White Cane Program
- Blindness 411 Facebook Group for Teens
- NFB-LINK Mentoring Program
- Scholarship Program
- Straight Talk about Blindness Video Series
- Parent Leadership Program (PLP)
Contact Us:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
[email protected]
www.nopbc.org